Typewriting machine



Feb. 24, 1931. J M TH 1,794,094

TYPEWRITING MACHINE Filed Dec. 30, 1926 Af/am Patented Feb. 24, 1931 UNITED STATES meat PATENT OFFICE JESSE A. B. SMITH, OFSTAMFORD, CONNECTICUT, ASSIGNOR TO UNDERWOOD ELLIOTT FISHER COMPANY, OF NEW YORK,

N. Y., A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE 'rvrn'warrme MACHINE Application filed December 30, 1926, Serial No. 157,910.

This invention relates to means for improv ing the operation of typewriting machines in which a multiple ply web is fed to the machine from a supply roll at the rear thereof.

All the web plies are loosely wound on a roll, and the outer ply is usually under tension, since it serves as a leader for unwinding the other plies, which are loose. When the carriage of the machine is moved to its ex- 1 treme positions, the leading or taut ply is liable to tear at the edges thereof, because of uneven strain, due to twisting of the web, the

tearing usuallyt occurring when line spacing. To overcome this trouble there is provided at the rear of the carbon-carrier frame an equalizing member, which moves therewith, and is arranged to swing in a horizontal plane.

This equalizing member co-operateswith an equalizing bar which may take the form of a roller mounted under the machine-frame, which roller is not only pivotally mounted to swing in a horizontal plane, but in a vertical plane as well. By means of these equalizing devices, when the carriage is moved relatively to the stationary web-supply roll, the web yields, and the position of the equalizing devices is automatically adjusted, and when the web is advanced for line-spacing or for other purposes both-edges of the web will be under strain, thereby lessening or eliminating the possibility of tearing it. The lower equalizing roller may be mounted by means of a joint, which will permit the roller to automatically adjust itself in a plurality of interfering planes, so that for practical purposes the roller may be considered as universally mounted. The roller may be rotatably mounted on a supporting bracket which is. ar ranged to swivel at the center thereof. 'This permits the roller to swing in a corresponding lane. In addition to this, the swivel stud itself is rotatably mounted in a vertical journal so that the stud may rotate to adjust the roller in a horizontal plane.

One of the objections to the use of .a roll for supplying the web to the machine is that each time the platen is line-spaced to advance the web, the inertia of the roll, which tends to hold it stationary, has to be overcome almost 9 instantaneously. This places a back strain on the feed-rolls, and sometimes, if the platen is quickly operated, the feed-rolls may slip, resulting in uneven line-spacing. In order to improve this condition complicated mechanism has been proposed for positively feeding the web forward .ahead of the regular line-i ieding requirements, thus relieving the feed rolls of the work required for instantaneously unwinding the roll when line-spacing. One example of such a mechanism is disclosed in the patent to Adolph G. Kupetz, No. 1,611,595, dated December 21, 1926, in which the web is advanced by the carbon carrier prior to line-spacing.

According to another feature of this invention the lower equalizing roller is weighty, and is mounted on asw-iveled bracket supported at the rear of the web supply roll. The bracket is at the middle of the roll, and is formed to conform with the periphery of the full sized roll. The weight of the roller is effective, when lifted above the axis of the roll, to unwind the roll so as to form a loop from which the web is fed to the platen. Each time the platen is rotated to line space the web, the roller is elevated, thus tensioning the web; then the Weight of the roll is sufficient to overcome the inertia of the roll and slow- 1;; unwind the web to create a new loop for t e next line-feeding requirement. From the foregoing it will be understood that the weight of the equalizing roller is heavy enough to slowly unwind the supply roll by co-operating with the loop, but suficiently light to yield when line-spacing, so that the line-spacing mechanism is relieved of the burdefi of overcoming the inertia of ,the supply ro I Another feature of this invention is that all this mechanism may be easily attached to a standard typewriter without making any changes thereto or to the stand thereof. The web-supply roll and the lower equalizing roller may be both mounted on a frame which is attached to the lower cross-bars of the typewriterstand. The importance of this feature of the invention cannot be overes mated, since, at the present state of the art, changes in the manufacturing equipment, which is scheduled for producing an enormous quantity of machines, are very costly.

ther features and advantages will hereinafter appear.

In the accompanying drawings.

Figure 1 is a side view, in elevation, show-. ing the invention applied to an Underwood .a bracket 14, which is fast to cross-bars 15 of a stand 16 by means of screws 17. The web-plies 10 are passed under an equalizing roller 18 and over an equalizing plate or lever 19 which is pivotally mounted on a stud 20 carried by a carbon carrier frame 21. Said plies are interleaved with carbons 22, so as to form a pack which is inserted at the rear of a platen 23, and, by means of co-operating feed-rolls 24, the web is positioned to the printing line, which is indicated by a type- In order to equalize the tension of both edges of the leading or taut ply of the web, especially when the carriage is moved to either of its extreme positions, the roller 18 is rotatably mounted by means of a shaft 26 on a bracket 27, which is in turn pivotally mounted by means of ears 28 on a pin 29. Said pin 29 forms an integral part of a vertical swivel-stud 30, which is mounted on a bracket 31. The swivel-stud is positioned by means of a collar 32 held in place by a pin a '33. In this manner the roller 18 is automatically adjusted by the differential tension on the edges of the web ply, so as to swing in both a horizontal and a vertical plane, thereby taking a position which completely equalizes the strain on the'edges of the web. Thisroll further co-operates with the equalizing plate 19, which may be of the form illustrated in my pending application Serial No. 144,934, filed October 29, 1926. The extreme osition of the carriage relatively to the we supply roll is shown in Figure 4, in which it will be seen that the edges of the web are held under even tension by the automatic adjustment of the equalizing devices. Figure 3 further illustrates the automatic adjustment of the equalizing roller. In this figure the position of the roller corresponds to a completely displaced carriage, which is shown at one of its extreme positions; the rolleris not only inclined in a horizontal plane but in a vertical plane as well. The

stud 30 is rotatively mounted in the end of the supporting bracket 31, which, for reasons which will hereinafter appear, is pivotally mounted by means of a cross-bar 24 j ournaled in the bracket 14.

Owing to the peculiar construction of the Underwood machine, which is provided with a line-spacing mechanism operating concomitantly with the returning movement of the carriage, the actual line feeding of the web generally occurs when the carriage is at either of its extreme positions, that is, when the web is in its most twisted position. Thus the web is fed under abnormal conditions, which, owing to the weight of the web supply roll and to friction on the equalizing devices, makes it extremely hard to'line space the web evenly. The feed rolls usually slip when the platen is line spaced quickly, but grip when the platen is line spaced slowly. It is in order to equalize line-spacing of the web that the bracket 31 is pivotally mounted. The free end of the bracket, together with the .roller 18 and the roller supporting mechanism, is sufliciently heavy to unwind the sup ply roll. Each timethe platen is suddenly rotated by operation of its line-spacing mechanism 35, the equalizing roller 18 is elevated to permit enough of the web to be fed forward. But when tension on the web is released, after line-spacing, the roller is automatically restored by gravity to its normal position. Y

The normal position of the bracket 31 is determined by a stop arm 36 pinned on the bar 34 to which the bracket 31 is also secured by means of pins 37. The arm 36 is arrested by a stud 38 carried by the bracket 14. The bar 34 is laterally positioned by means of a collar 39 and said stop arm.

The carbons 22 are secured at the back thereof upon a carbon carrier 40, which is slidably mounted on the frame 21. The latter is arrangedto travel with the machine carriage, and is supported at the rear thereof by a cross-rail 41 fast to a back extension or frame 42.

The effect of the universal mounting of the roller 18 will be seen to be twofold. In the first place, it acts as an equilibrator to distribute the tension in the web substantially equally throughout the width of the webby yielding at the side where the tension is greater and transferring a tensional strain to the side where the tension is smaller. Secondly, it acts as a tension-gage to regulate the tension in the web. The weight of the roller and its bracket determines the maximum total tension in the'web, for, when this is exceeded, the loop is taken up by rise of the roller or the spool 11 is unwoundto relieve the excess tension, and, since the roller 18 acts to distributethe tension evenly,it functions as a unit tension-limiting age.

Variations may be resorted to within the scope of the invent-ion, and portions of the improvements may be used without others.

Having thus described myinvention, I claim:

1. A continuous billing t'ypewriting machine having a revoluble platen, a carriage therefor and a web supply at the rear thereof, and means for guiding the web and for equalizing the tension on the edges of the plies thereof, said means including an upper swiveled equalizing member moving with the carriage and a lower swiveled equalizing member mounted between said first-mentioned member and the web supply.

.2. Acontinuousbillingtypewriting machine having a revoluble platen, a carriage there-.-

a multiple ply web to the platen, and means under said frame for rotatably mounting a web supply roll, and means for equalizing the tension on the edges of the leading ply of the web, said last-mentioned means including an equalizing member carried by said webconducting frame and another equalizing member mounted between the first-mentioned equalizing member and the web supply roll.

3. In a continuous billing typewritingimachine having a revoluble platen, a carriage therefor, and means at the introductory side of the platen for conducting a web thereto, means under the machine for rotatably supporting a web supply roll, said roll being laterally immovable, anda pair of co-operating devices adapted to skew with the web for guiding the ed librating the di erent tensions on those edges when the plane of the web is twisted in the space, the one of those co-operating devices being arranged to travel with the carriage, and the other device being held stationary relatively to the web supply roll.

4. In a continuous billing typewriting machine having a revoluble platen, a carriage therefor, and means for conducting a web to the platen, said web being wound on a'laterall undisplaceable and rotatively mounted supp y roll, means for equalizing the tension on the edges of the web, said means including a swiveled equalizing device movable withthe carriage, and a swiveled laterally undisplaceable equalizing device mounted between the web supply and the first-mentioned equalizing device. l

5. In a continuousbilling -typewriting machine, the combination with a traveling carriage having a platen and line-space mechanism therefor, and a source of suppl for a continuous web fixed relatively to sai carriage, of an equilibrator for reducing the maximum tension along any longitudinal section of-the web as the carriage moves to its extreme positions, said equilibrator engaging I the web between the'carriage and-the source of supply and including a guiding element mounted to-move freely in both "vertical and es of the web and for equi-' horizontal planes in response to stresses-set up in the web during the movement of the carriage.

, 6. In a continuous billing typewriting machine having a revoluble-platen, line-spacing mechanism therefor, and means at the rear of the machinefor rotatably supporting a web supply roll, means for causing the sudden line-spacing pull on the web to be gradually and uniformly transmitted to the roll to unwind the same, said last-mentioned means including a universally mounted weighty roll arranged to unwind the web ahead of the regular line-feeding requirements, said roll being disposed above said web and light enough to be elevated when line-spacing. for, a frame at the rear thereof for conducting 7. In a continuous billing typewriting machine, the combination with a traveling .carriage having a platen and line-space mechanism therefor, and a source of supply for a continuous web fixed relatively to said carriage, of an equilibrator engaging said web between the carriage and the source of supply and including a guiding element mounted to move about vertical and horizontal axes in response to stresses set up in the web during the movement of the carriage, in such a manner that it will yield at the side of the web subjected to greater stress to decrease the same, but will automatically move in the opposite direction at the other side. of the web to increase thest-ress thereon, whereby the stresses in said web become substantially equally distributed throughout the width thereof.

8. In a continuous billing typewriting machine having a platen and a line-spacing mechanism therefor, a rotatably mounted web supply roll at the rear of the machine, and means acting between successive line-- spacing operations for automatically unwinding the roll so as to form a web loop from which the platen is supplied when linespa'cing, said means including a universally mounted weighty roller arranged to overlie said web, a bracket for said roller, and a stop device for holding the roller in its inoperative position.

. 9. Ina continuous billing typewriting machine havin a platen and a line-spacing mechanism t erefor, a web-supply roll at the rear of the platen, and means including a universally mounted weighty roller arranged to overlie said web and effective to unwind the web from the supply-roll, the roller yield ing under the sudden pull on the web at each line-spacing operation, but recovering its 4 normal position, thereby unwinding the sup-. ply-roll sufliciently for the next line-spacing movement of the web.

10. A continuous billing typewriting machine having a revoluble platen, a line-spacing mechanism and a carriage therefor,. means at the. rearthereof for'rotatively supporting a web-supplyroll, said rollcarrying a plurality of plies'wound thereon, the outer ply being tight and serving as a. means for unwinding the other plies, and universally mounted meansfor equilibrating the tension on the edges of the tight ply of the web, and for regulating the tension thereof, so as to absorb the line-feeding jerks on said ply.

11. In a continuous billing typewriting machine the combination of a revoluble platen, a carriage and line-spacing mechanism therefor, a guiding frame traveling with the carriage for conducting-a web to the platen, an equalizing device pivotally mounted on said frame at the rear thereof, a rotatively mounted web supply roll under said frame, supporting means therefor, and a second equalizing device mounted between said firstmentioned equalizing device and the supply roll; a

12. In a continuous billing typewriting machine the combination of a revoluble plat en, a carriage and line-spacing mechanism therefor, a guiding frame travelingwith the carriage for conducting a web to the platen, an equalizing device pi-votally mounted on said frame at-the rear thereof, a rotatively mounted web supply roll under said frame, supporting means therefor, and a second equalizing device mounted between said first-mentioned equalizing device and the supply roll. the last-mentioned equalizing device including a rotatively mounted weighty roll, a frame therefor, and means for supporting said framein a manner to permit adjustment ofthe roll within two interfering planes.

13. In a continuous billing typewriting machine, having a revoluble platen. a linespacing mechanism, carriage therefor, and a web supply roll feeding the web through the line-spacing mechanism to the platen, a plurality of pivotally mounted means. one mounted to travel with the carriage and the other stationary with said roll, and both pressing yieldingly on spaced portions of the web and adapted to gage and to equilibrate the different tensions on the edges of the web and to absorb the line-spacing jerks on the'advancing web.

14. In a continuous billing typewriter machine having a revoluble platen, a line-spacng mechanism therefor, a carriage, a frame at the rear thereof for conducting aweb thereto. an equalizing device on said frame arranged to swivel on a horizontal plane, and a web-supply roll at the rear of the machine, an equalizing roll mounted between the equalizing device and the supply roll, said equalizing roll being arranged to rotate and to automatically adjust itself in a vertical and a horizontal plane.

15. In a continuous billing typewriting machine having a revoluble platen, a linespacing mechanism therefor, a carriage, a frame at the rear thereof for conducting a carriage having amechanism therefor,

web thereto, an equalizing device on said frame arranged to swivelon a horizontal plane, and a web-supply roll at the rear of the machine, an equalizing roll mounted between the equalizing device and the supply roll, said equalizing roll being rotatively mounted on a bracket pivotallymounted on a stud in a manner to swivel in ,a vertical plane, and the stud being pivotally the machine, an equalizing roll mounted between.the-equal1z1ng device and the supplyroll, said equalizing roll being rotatively mounted on a bracket pivotally mounted on astud in a manner to swivel in a vertical plane, and the stud being pivotally mounted in a'frame in a manner to swivel in a horizontal plane, and means for pivotally mounting said last-mentioned frame in a manner to render the equalizing roll bodily elevatable when aheavy pull is applied on the web;

17. In a continuous billing typewriting machine, the combination carriage having a platen and line-space mechanism therefor. and a source of supply for a continuous web fixed relatively to said carriage, of an equilibrator engaging said web between the carriage and the source of supply and including-a guiding element pivoted intermediate its ends about vertical and horizontal axes so as to swivel universally in response to stresses set up in the web during the movement of the carriage, in such a manner that it will yield at the side of the websubjected to greater stress to decrease the same, but will automatically move in the opposite direction at the other side ofv the web to increase the stress thereon, whereby the stresses in said web become substantially equally distributed throughout the width thereof.

18. In a continuous billing typewriting machine, the combination with a traveling platen and line-space ply for a continuous web fined relatively to said carriage, of'an equilibrator engaging said web between the carriage and the source of supply and including with a traveling and a source of sup a gliding element engaging theweb at a loop thereof and pivotally mounted intermediate its end about a horizontal axis so as to move in a vertical plane in response to stresses set up in the, web during the movement of the carriage, in such a manner that it will yield at the side of the web subjected to greater stress to decrease the same, but will automatically the carriage and the source of supply,

meaeee move'in the opposite direction at the other side of the web to increase the stress thereon, whereby the stresses in said web become sub stantially equally distributed throughout the width thereof.

19. In a continuous billing typewriting machine, the combination with a traveling carriage having a platen'and line-space mechanism therefor, and a source of supply for a continuous web fixed relatively to said carriage, of an equilibrator engaging said web between-the carriage and the source of supply and including a guiding element mounted to swivel freely in two diiferent planes in response to the skewing of the web during the movement of the carriage to limit the maximum stress in said web.

20. Ina continuous billing typewriting ma chine, the combination with a traveling carriage having a platen and line-space mechanismvtherefor, and a source of supply for acontinuous web fixed relatively to said carriage, of a tension-gage for limiting the total stress in said web and including a roller arranged to rest in a loop of said web between which roller is swivelled in two different planes and is mounted on an arm so as to swing bodily freely about a horizontal axis to permit the taking up of the loop by the line-space mechanism.

21. In a continuous billing typewriting machine, the combination with a traveling carriage having a platen and line-space mechanism therefor, and a source of supply for a continuous web fixed relatively to said carriage, of a tension-gage for limiting the unit stress in said web and including a roller arranged to rest in a loop in said Web between the carriage and the source of supply, said roller being mounted to move bodily freely about a horizontal axis to permit the taking. up of the loop to prevent the total tension in said web exceeding the weight of said roller and its immediate support, said roller being pivoted intermediate its ends about a vertical and a horizontal axis to act as an equilibrator for said web to distribute the stresses in the latter substantially equally throughout the width thereof.

22. In a continuous billing typewriting machine having means supporting a multiple ply web-supply roll, the combination. with a carriage and web-feeding means thereon, including a platen engaging the" leading end of a multiple-ply web paying 0E said roll, of an equalizer-bar adjacent the roll for pressing the web to cause it to pay off from the roll and form a loop, said bar universally mounted to skew freely with the exterior ply of the web as the latter vibrates with the carriage, and means yieldably sup' porting the bar, so that when the web is ad-: vanced by the web-feeding means the loop is reduced and the bar is lifted by the tight- 7 stantially in a ening loop to co-operate with the latter to pull a supply of web from the supply-roll, whereby the web-ply isevenly tensioned by the bar and the platen is relieved of the burdenof overcoming the inertia of the supply-roll.

23. In a continuous billing typewriting machine having means supporting a stationary multiple-ply web-supply roll, the combination with a carriage and web-feeding means thereon, including a platen engaging the leading end of a multiple-ply web paying ofi' said roll, of an equalizer-bar adjacent-the roll for pressing the web to cause it to pay off from the roll and form a 100 said bar universally mounted to skew free y with the exterior ply of the web as the latter vibrates with the carriage, and means yieldably supporting the bar and holding it normally subhorizontal plane with the axis of the supply-roll, so that when the web is advanced by the web-feeding means the loop is shortened and the bar is lifted to co-operate with the loop to pull a supply of .web from the supply-roll, whereby the web-ply is evenly tensioned by the bar and the platen is relieved of the burden of overcoming the inertia of the supply-roll.

24. In a continuous billing typewriting machine having means supporting a stationary multiple-ply web-supply roll, the combi- 9 nation with a carriage and web-feeding means thereon, engaging the leading end of a multiple-ply web paying ofi said roll, of an equalizer-bar adjacent the roll for pressing the web to cause it to pay off from the roll and form a loop, said bar universally mounted to skew freely with the exterior ply of the web as the latter vibrates with the carriage, whereby the loop of the exterior ply is evenly' tensioned by the bar as the multiple-ply web is advanced by the web feeding means.

- JESSE A. B.;SMITH. 

